*

European Commission targets $84 billion worth of US

imports

*

List pre-dates Trump's new 30% tariff threat

*

EU seeking deal but preparing retaliation, trade chief

says

(Updates with French minister comments in paragraph 8, approval

procedure in paragraphs 10-12, drinks sector lobbying and EU

member concerns in paragraph 13)

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS, July 15 (Reuters) -

The European Commission is targeting 72 billion euros ($84.1

billion) worth of U.S. goods - from Boeing ( BA ) aircraft and

bourbon whiskey to cars - for possible tariffs if trade talks

with Washington fail.

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening a 30% tariff

on imports from the EU from August 1, a level European officials

say is unacceptable and would end normal trade between two of

the world's largest markets.

The list, sent to EU member states and seen by Reuters

on Tuesday, pre-dates Trump's move over the weekend to ramp up

pressure on the 27-nation bloc and responds instead to U.S.

duties on cars and car parts and a 10% baseline tariff.

The package also covers chemicals, medical devices,

electrical and precision equipment as well as agriculture and

food products - a range of fruits and vegetables, along with

wine, beer and spirits - valued at 6.35 billion euros.

Following a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on Monday,

officials said they were still seeking a deal to avoid Trump's

heavy tariff blow.

But EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said those at the meeting

expressed unprecedented resolve to protect EU businesses using

European countermeasures if negotiations with Washington fail to

produce a deal.

"The message was (the) strongest I've witnessed since we

started the discussion with the U.S.. And therefore we'll

negotiate first, but we'll prepare at the same time," he said at

a press conference.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday

that Trump's new threat had "the appearance of blackmail",

adding the priority was to find a trade agreement but not at the

cost of becoming a "a vassal of the United States".

Trump has warned Brussels against retaliation, stating

that the U.S. would match any new European levies by simply

adding them to the 30% rate.

The European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy,

has not yet specified a tariff rate for the products on its

list.

EU members will need to approve the package before it is

implemented, and there is no specific date set for a vote.

The Commission would typically hear concerns from EU

governments and then proceed with the countermeasures unless 15

countries oppose them.

Europe's drinks industry, which is heavily dependent

upon the U.S. market, has been

lobbying governments

to exclude bourbon or any wine and spirits from the EU's

list due to fear of retaliation by Washington. France, Spain and

Italy have expressed concern over the potential impact on their

economies.

Alcoholic drinks were removed from the EU's first

package of tariffs approved in April. That package on 21 billion

euros worth of U.S. goods was immediately suspended to allow

room for negotiations. Its suspension has now been extended to

August 6.

European shares traded slightly higher on Tuesday, buoyed by

automotive stocks, after Trump said on Monday he was open to

talks with the EU and other trading partners.

The Commission initially put forward the second package in

May for a public consultation, earmarking some 95 billion euros

worth of U.S. goods for countermeasures. It has since been

whittled down, though most of the main items have remained.

($1 = 0.8558 euros)